Circular knitting machine



Feb. 4,1969 A, P AN K 3,425,241

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 18, 1965 Sheet 1 of 4 /nVent0r Amw A MM Feb. 4, 1969 A. PLANCK 3,425,241

' CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 18, 1965 Sheet 2 of 4 Fig.3

Inventor.-

ALI-P50 7 0W I Feb. 4, 1969 L N K 3,425,241

' CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 18, 1965 Sheet 3 of 4 Inventor:

ALF Q W4 A/vcA Feb. 4, 1969 PLANCK 3,425,241

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 18, 1965 Sheet i of 4 lnventor; fiLFR'D PL AWCA United States PatentO US. Cl. 668 6 Claims Int. Cl. D0411 9/06 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Three legs symmetrically arranged support a take-up drive support ring; three upstanding arms, symmetrically arranged, support the cylinder drive support ring and "at their topmost part the dial drive support assembly; the drive motors are secured to a housing which is separately supported from the floor, so that all weight of the drive arrangement is taken off the frame, thus preventing distortion due to uneven loading or and unsymmetrical vibration during operation, permitting increase of the upper diameter of the machine; further, the drive arrangement can be mounted beyond the perimeter of the machine, thus providing for ease of access.

The present invention relates to a circular knitting machine having a pair of needle beds and more particularly to the arrangement of the support and drive structure to provide for improved stability and ease of maintenance.

Circular knitting machines of substantial diameter are diflicult to construct with substantial stability, and to operate with precision. The parts of the machine most subject to wear and use, the lower or take-up drive support ring, the center or cylinder drive support ring, and the dial drive support, which is the uppermost suppont ring, usually are constructed superimposed and separated from each other by legs or support arms. These legs or supports are usually separately mounted. The take-up drive support ring is usually provided with four legs, spaced equidistant around the circumference of the ring. The dial drive support assembly is usually rigidly secured to a number of supports, for example three or four, after) having been centered with respect to the axis of the machine. Adjustment of the dial, subsequent to the original mounting, is quite difficult.

It has been proposed to arrange machines on separate frame elements, and mount the operating rings in the separate frame elements. Usually the drive motors are built into the frames, which provides for good utilization of space and protection to the motors. Due to the weight of the motors, however, it is necessary to build the legs or frame parts of different strengths, which has the result that the operating rings of the machine are not equally well supported, and subject to different vibration at different points. If the strength of all the supports is the same, then some of them will be either too heavy or others will be overloaded, which may result in imparting twisting stresses and deformation or distortion of the operating rings of the machine. Although the efiiciency of space used in a machine having a frame is very good, it is diflioult to change parts and to do maintenance work. The assembly of the dial drive support and the dial, and their adjustment is also time consuming. If the machine is not perfectly level, or placed on a floor which is uneven, slight misalignment between the four legs, or the four corners of a frame, may cause distortions and deformations. This may cause a shifting of the position of the dial with respect to the cylinder, which causes uneven wear.

Patented Feb. 4, 1969 It has been proposed to provide a support for circular kniting machines in which superimposed single units are used which are centered with respect to each other and rigidly aligned. This is achieved by telescoping and interlocking supports carrying the various superposed machine elements. Reference may here be had to German Patent 874,942, describing such afcons'truction, which may consist of single elements of cast iron.

When a layer type of machine construction is used it is difficult to accurately align the dial and drives for the various layers, and at the same time provide for a support arrangement which will carry the drive motor in such a manner that it is both easily disassembled for repair or maintenance, and yet does not protrude beyond the outline of the machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a circular knitting machine which has good spacial efficiency and yet permits ready disa'ssembly of the drive arrangement.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a circular knitting machine having a support structure which is not subject to distortion or uneven loading, and provides for ease of adjustment of the operating elements of the machine.

Briefly, the present invention relates to circular knitting machines of the type in which the operating components are arranged in superimposed layers. According to the invention the separate layers of the machine are supported by three support arms spaced equidistantly about the circumference of the machine, and resting'on a support ring of the frame at their lowerends; a drive means, including motors, is arranged to have its shafts vertically, and secured to the circumference of the machine. The drive means is provided with separate supports, which are preferably adjustable, which bear against the floor and support the weight of the drive means and motors independently of the frame of the machine; yet they are secured to the frame to provide for cooperation with the main machine drive shaft; The support arms are formed with shoulders, to which the dial drive support is secured. The shoulders for the top'layer preferably provide clearance, and adjustment screws are provided so that the dial drive support and dial can: be aligned with respect to the cylinder; after alignment, space between the support rods and the dial itself can be taken up with shim's.

The structure, organization and operation of the invention will now be described more specifically in the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: H

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a circular knitting machine, showing the drive arrangement and the superimposed frame elements on which the machine is built,

the motor housing being broken away to show the internal arrangement of the drive motors;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the machine of FIG. 1 with the motor housing broken away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the upper end portion of a support arm showing adjustment of the dial drive support frame assembly;

FIG. 4 is a top view showing adjustment of the dial drive support frame assembly;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the main drive shaft and brake and other parts related thereto; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the lower portion of the main drive shaft shown in FIG. 5, and illustrating the drive for the take-up mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a take-up drive support ring 1 is supported by means of three legs 2, on a floor, not shown, which are spaced equidistantly around the circumference of ring 1. The cylinder drive support ring 5 is rigidly held by three support bars or arms 7, which are preferably aligned with legs 2 and secured to ring 1. Support bars 7 are formed with shoulders 7a, both intermediate their lengths and at their upper ends, and the cylinder drive support ring is secured to the intermediately located shoulders 7a, for example, by means of screws. The upper end of support bars 7 and their shoulders 7a, support the dial drive support assembly of the machine in such a manner that it can be adjusted both laterally with respect to the axis of the ring 1, and vertically, with respect to the supports.

Secured to ring 1 are mounting brackets, which may take any desired form, which support a pair of drive motors 3, 3a. One of the motors is arranged for slow speed operation of the machine, and the other for high speed use. A common drive belt 12, running around the pulleys of the motors 3 and 3a, engages a pulley 14 mounted on the main drive shaft 11 of the machine. To provide for permanent engagement of the pulley with both motors, the motors are provided with a free wheeling arrangement, or a clutch, for example an electromagnetic clutch. Either arrangement, a free wheeling drive or a clutch, can be built into the motor and is, therefore, not shown separately in the drawings. The motors are arranged such that their shafts or axes are vertical. They are further secured to a protective housing 4, which extends almost to the floor level of the machine. Protective housing 4 is provided with separate feet 4a, which are preferably vertically adjustable, so that the weight of the drive mechanism, that is the motors and the pulley, is essentially taken up by the housing 4 and the adjustable feet 4a.

Providing three legs 2 of equal length, symmetrically arranged 120 apart along the circumference of the ring, provides a secure support even if the floor should be, or become, uneven. Unbalanced loading, due to the motors, is avoided because of their own support feet 4a, which are adjustable.

Support bars-7 are rigidly secured to ring 1, as well as to table 5. Referring now particularly to FIG. 3, the upper end of support bar 7, and its projecting shoulder 7a, is formed in such a way that clearance is provided between the dial drive support assembly 6, and the end 7 of the supportbars. In order to center the dial, radially extending adjustment screws 8 are provided in the upper ends of 'at least two of the three support bars 7. These adjustment screws bear laterally against the outer circumference or the dial drive support assembly 6. In order to provide for exact horizontal alignment of dial drive support assembly and dial, and to prevent tilt of the upper portion 6 with respect to the axis of the machine, adjustment screws 8a are provided, extending upwardly through the internally projecting shoulder 7a of the supportbars. A lock nut, as shown in FIG. 3, is provided to secure the screws 8a against turning. The space between the dial drive support assembly 6 and the shoulder 7a, of the upper portion 7 of the support bar is filled with shims and then the dial drive support assembly 6 is rigidly secured to the support bars 7, at shoulder 7a, by means of screws 9. The holes through shoulder 7a are larger than the screws to provide for adjustment, both laterally as well as tilting of machine portion 6.

Support bars 10 for the bobbins 10a, and associated portions are secured to support bars 7 and do not introduce any stress on the dial drive support assembly 6 or the dial itself.

Referring now to FIG. 5, where the drive for the machine is shown, the main drive shaft 11 is located between a pair of support bars 7 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). A first bearing 11a, which is preferably provided with ball or roller bearings, as shown, is secured to the cylinder drive support ring 5. A second bearing 11b, likewise preferably provided with ball or roller bearings, is connected to the dial drive support assembly 6. The shaft 11 is provided with an upper drive pinion, schematically shown at 51,

and engaging the dial drive gear 50, and a lower drive pinion 53, engaging the cylinder drive gear 52. The arrangement is such, and the connection between the stationary portions of the machine, that is, cylinder drive support ring 5 and dial drive support assembly 6, that the entire drive shaft 11 and its associated pinions can be disassembled from the machine without interfering with the alignment of the dial drive support assembly 6 of the machine, and without having to disassemble any other part. Shaft 11 is entirely accessible from the outside (see FIGS. 1 and 2), that is from the outside of the circumference of the machine and the pinions 51, 53 can be brought into easy running engagement with the drive gears 50, 52.

Connected to the shaft 11 near the lower bearing 11a, is a vertically movable armature 13 for an electromagnetic brake. The stationary part 13b is mounted as close to the bearing as possible. The movable part of the brake 13a is connected to shaft 11 between the bearing IIa and the drive pulley 14 (see FIG. 5) to rapidly stop shaft 11, and with it the machine, upon energization of the brake. Thus, the close spacial arrangement of the brake next to the bearing permits transfer of braking forces due to the inertia of the machine to the machine frame itself without causing distortions or warping of the frame, or of the drive shaft.

Referring now to FIG. 6, where the lower portion of shaft 11 and its associated drive mechanism is again illustrated: The lower end of shaft 11 is provided with a pulley 22, the outside circumference of which is serrated. An internally ribbed belt 21 connects with a serrated pulley 20, secured to a shaft 18. Shaft 18 runs in bearing 17, which is secured to a bearing holder fast with support ring 1 of the machine. The connection of the bearing holder 17 to the machine may be by welding, screws or other conventional means, not particularly illustrated. The lower portion of shaft 18 is provided with a pinion 19, which engages with the take-up drive gear 16. Only the drive for the take-up mechanism is shown; the mechanism itself may be any one well known in the art.

The invention thus provides a circular knitting machine, which is constructed in superimposed layers. A main support ring 1 is supported by three legs 2 mounted equidistantly around the circumference of the support ring. Three support bars 7 extend upwardly from the support ring, and are secured thereto; at their lower ends they are made fast with support ring 1, and at their upper ends they support the dial drive support assembly 6 and gear 50 in such a manner that the alignment of the dial with respect to the central axis of the machine can be adjusted. Intermediate the height of the support bars 7, the cylinder drive support ring is held, which also serves to space and rigidly interconnect the support bars. The drive means, motors 3, 3a, are arranged to have their shafts extend vertically. They are secured to the circumference of the support ring 1. However, their weight is not 'supported from the frame but separately directly from the floor on .which the machine is to be placed, by means of feet 4a adjustably mounted on a protective housing 4 for the drive motors. The drive motors are preferably arranged half way between two legs 2. The main drive shaft 11 of the machine is arranged along the periphery of ring 1, and secured in bearings, in such a way that it can be readily dismantled from the outside of the machine and disengaged from the drive mechanism of the machine, without disturbing the adjusted alignment of the dial drive support assembly 6.

I claim:

1. In a circular knitting machine arranged in a frame structure of superimposed support rings, one of said support rings forming a dial drive support assembly (6, 50);

a take-up drive support ring (1);

and three legs (2) mounted equidistant at the circumference of said support ring to support the machine on a floor;

the improvement comprising three upwardly extending support bars (7) secured to said take-up drive support ring (1) and having support brackets (7a) intermediate their length, one end of each of said bars being mounted on said takeup drive support ring (1), the opposite end of said support bars supporting the dial drive support assembly (6, 50);

adjustable interconnection means (8, 8a, 9) securing said bars (7) and said dial drive support assembly (6, 50) together;

a cylinder drive support ring (5) supported by the support brackets (7a) intermediate their length; and

a motor means (3, 3a, 4) having vertically arranged drive shafts secured to said take-up drive support ring (1) intermediate two of the three legs (2), said motor means having support means (4a) additional to said legs and adapted to rest against the floor to support the weight of the motor means (3, 3a, 4) independently of the frame of the machine.

2. Knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein the upper ends of said support bars (7) have support shoulders (7a) for supporting the dial drive support assembly (6, 50) with lateral clearance;

said adjustable interconnection means securing said dial drive support assembly (6, 50) in radial alignment with respect to the axis of the circular machine and comprising radially extending adjustment screws (8) connecting said upper end of said support bars (7) and said dial drive support assembly to adjustably maintain said dial drive support assembly centered in the machine.

3. Knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein said upper ends of said support bars (7 have support shoulders (7a) for supporting the dial drive support assembly (6, 50); said adjustable interconnection means securing said dial drive support assembly in horizontal alignment, and comprising vertically extending adjustment screws (8a, 9) connecting said support shoulders (7a) of said upper ends of said support bars (7) and said dial drive support assembly (6, 50) to adjustably maintain the dial drive support assembly in a predetermined plane with respect to the axis of the machine.

4. Knitting machine according to claim 1 having a vertical main drive shaft (11) in driving relation with said motor means (3, 3a), bearings (11a, 11b) supporting said drive shaft, one of said bearings (1 1a) being mounted on the cylinder drive support ring (5) intermediate two of the three support bars;

and an electromagnetic brake (13) having rotating and stationary parts, mounted on said drive shaft (11) and said cylinder drive support ring (5) respectively,

said brake being located to be adjacent said bearing and said cylinder drive support ring, whereby braking reaction forces are transferred to the machine structure with a minimum of twisting moment.

5. Knitting machine according to claim 1 having a vertical drive shaft (11) in driving relation with said motor means (3, 3a) and mounted at the outside periphery of said circular machine.

6. Knitting machine according to claim 1 having a vertical main drive shaft (11) and a take-up drive shaft (18), both said shafts being arranged in driving relation with said motor means (3, 3a);

a bearing (17) mounted on said take-up drive support ring (1), said bearing being separately secured to said take-up drive support ring to rotatably retain said take-up drive shaft (18) independently of said vertical drive shaft (11);

and a positive drive engagement (20, 21, 22) between said vertical drive shaft (11) and said take-off drive shaft (18), whereby said take-off drive shaft (18) will be driven in synchronism with said vertical drive shaft (11) and disassembly is facilitated.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,178,243 4/1916 Larkin 66-28 1,670,240 5/1928 Collar 66-28 2,751,768 6/1956 Lebocey 66-28 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,139,524 2/1957 France.

904,097 2/ 1954 Germany.

778,155 7/1957 Great Britain.

820,816 9/ 1959 Great Britain.

ROBERT R. MACKEY, Primary Examiner.

US Cl. X.R. 66-28 

